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Spring Fishing (April-May-June) Nanook Lodge has specialized fishing the local inlets for decades with huge success. Experiencing Bute Inlet first hand can be described as seeing one of the world’s finest natural wonders blending temperate rain forest and Pacific Ocean coastal shores.

Only 400 yards from Stuart Island, mainland North America’s remote inlets provide hundreds of miles of ocean shoreline to fish and wildlife to view. In the spring Bute, Ramsey and Toba Inlets are the feeding grounds for abundant Chinook populations prior to their migratory march home.

In early spring, the Chinook population will follow the annual herring spawn into Bute Inlet. This majestic 40 mile inlet with Stuart Island at the southern mouth is one of the most beautiful fishing experiences in the world. Dramatic cliffs as high as the inlet is deep (1/2 mile in spots) surrounds your boat as you fish. And so remote, most days you’ll only encounter other Nanook boats in the inlet.

A variety of mature and younger Chinooks aggressively feed on the abundance of bait fish (herring) found in the inlets. Average mature fish will weigh 10-15 lbs with Tyee’s (30+) available too. These powerful feeders provide great runs and acrobatics when hooked. An uncommon phenomenon in these inlets is “white fleshed” Chinook. These animals are as fun to serve with their rich flavor and unusual color as they are to catch because of their feisty nature! You will be amazed at your guide’s knowledge of the area, history and intuition of the fish! On most days each boat will be gone for the entire day using packed lunches, on board heads, and some shore stretch periods to make the trip an enjoyable adventure. With frequent bear and eagle sightings on cliff faces and towering fir trees bring your camera! Nanook Lodge boats communicate continually via radio to share fishing, wildlife and weather information.

Summer Fishing (July & August) We believe our different seasons have qualities all their own and each outstanding. Want the best weather, most salmon species and reliable whale viewing? All of the above occur in the summer. Morning temps are mild and by noon you’ll be in shorts. The summer also has the salmon migration in full swing.

Even though everyone wants to tangle with a large Chinook, waiting for them can be fun while catching Pinks, Coho and Sockeye. Many schooling runs pass by the Stuart Island crossroads from July 1st thru Labor Day. As you can imagine there are many anglers that share the desire to be at the lodge then. Reserving space way in advance is mandatory with veteran groups keeping annual dates for many, many years.

Historical healthy limits, 4 daily and 8 aggregate salmon with species limitations, reflect the resounding amount of salmon that are available. Nanook guides will plan your daily trips to maximize the catch that best suits your desires. We find the weather and healthy salmon runs meet the approval of corporate groups, couples and families.

A favorite choice by many is to leave at first light and take advantage of the best Chinook fishing. Securing several “big ones” early leaves a variety of options for the balance of the day. Generally lunches will be at the lodge only 10-15 minutes from the best summer spots. Afternoons can be left for spur of the moment adventures whale watching, beach combing, bottom fishing or pursuing more Chinooks. There are great opportunities for big Ling Cod too that can reach 30+ lbs. and are very tasty!

Fall Fishing (September & October) Like the spring and summer seasons the fall has a unique quality that separates it from the ordinary. By early September the Pinks and Sockeyes have gone thru leaving only Chinooks, Coho and the arrival of the Chum salmon. As if on a timetable, the Chinooks reach peak weights and begin to earnestly travel to their home rivers. Besides the migratory Chinooks heading in all directions, we have many nearby rivers home to large Chinook numbers

Our “resident” Chinooks await October rains to head up the Phillips, Homathko, Toba and Campbell Rivers. During this waiting period, Chinooks ranging from 20-50 lbs. reside in tidal pools and river mouths waiting to go upriver and complete their lifecycle. Even though they’ve stopped eating they continue to “hang out” in the traditional feeding spots while acclimating to their changing bodies. The longer it goes into September the more of the Chum run arrives. The fall is melancholy within the lodge as we harvest some very large, mature Chinooks, Coho and Chums in the mornings while assisting the brood stock capture for our local hatchery on the Phillips River in the afternoons. The contrast of these endeavors is quite unique providing a first hand opportunity to harvest yet create salmon. Many groups come to the lodge in the fall for the fishing, team building, and conservation benefits that are offered. Changing foliage, ocean patterns and wildlife life styles are thrilling to observe.



Our Wild Salmon Hatchery

Phillips River Salmon Enhancement For over 20 years the Stuart Island Community has operated a salmon enhancement program on the Phillips River in conjunction with the Pacific Salmon Foundation and Dept. of Fisheries/Oceans Canada. From the last week in August thru September Nanook Lodge will take guests to the Phillips River so they may help capture giant Chinook salmon for brood stock purposes.

Several “sets” of the seine net will produce hundreds of salmon to sort releasing all except the Chinook salmon. The captured brood stock will be held at our river facility until time comes to strip eggs and milt. Guests may help with the entire process gaining important knowledge of the natural and assisted fish production. Bears and eagles feed at the river preparing for upcoming winter.

Our wild salmon capture only assists in making more salmon for the river. The hatcheries fertilization ratio is over 90% compared to only 15% naturally in the river. After 8 months in the hatchery, the salmon frye are released back into the Phillips River system with the wild salmon.

The Phillips is one of the few West Coast Rivers with all five varieties of Pacific Salmon. Through our efforts the area has plentiful salmon returns from the number of nearby healthy rivers.

Ask the lodge to design a fishing trip that also adds visiting the Phillips River for salmon enhancement and wildlife viewing.
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